Cold Sores are an embarrassing and an unpleasant infection which is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus type I (HSV-1). It is also very contagious and you should be careful not to infect your dear ones or be infected through an innocent kiss. When this infection keeps on recurring more often than necessary, it is said to be chronic cold sores. This means that you have to bear the burden of having the infection more than someone who has a mild infection.
Chronic cold sores is usually triggered by stress, exposure to sunlight, menstruation, fatigue, weakened immune system and also foods rich in arginine, an amino acid found in foods such as chocolates, coffee, strawberries, cheese etc. To keep this infection at bay, you should make sure that you eat a balanced diet in order to keep your immune system at peak, avoid stress and sleep well.
Taking Lysine supplements could be beneficial to some sufferers. When you realize that a cold sore has caught up with you, take 1000mg dosage of Lysine supplements three times daily. You could also eat foods rich in lysine which is an amino acid found in these foods. These include; peas, beans,lentils, parmesan cheese, meat, eggs, sardines and soy beans. The amino acid Lysine and arginine compete for absorption in the intestines, so, the more you have of Lysine and less of arginine the better for your body.
When you have chronic cold sores, it is a clear sign that your immune system is down. It could also be a symptom of underlying health issues. It is advisable therefore to seek medical attention and also to boost your immune system.
